06/19/2026
Interdiction traffic stops (mostly for Interstate/highways)
For criminal interdiction during a traffic stop, the goal is to gather information, identify inconsistencies, and develop reasonable suspicion through conversation and observation—not simply ask “gotcha” questions. Separate the driver from the occupants and look for inconsistencies. Lot of these questions are probably going to be hard to remember to ask if we're new at this. The goal here is education and to get your feet wet.
Common interdiction questions include:
Travel Plans
* Where are you coming from today?
* Where are you headed?
* What’s the purpose of your trip?
* How long were you there?
* How long do you plan on staying?
* Who are you visiting?
* How do you know that person?
* Where are you staying tonight?
Vehicle Ownership
* Is this your vehicle?
* How long have you owned it?
* Who is the registered owner?
* How do you know the owner?
* Do you have permission to drive it?
Occupant Relationships
* How do you know the passenger(s)?
* How long have you known them?
* Where did you meet?
* Are you all traveling together?
Employment and Lifestyle
* What do you do for work?
* Who do you work for?
* How long have you worked there?
* What days do you normally work?
Trip Details
* When did you leave?
* What route did you take?
* Did you stop anywhere along the way?
* Where did you get fuel?
* What attractions or locations did you visit?
Contraband-Related Questions
* Is there anything illegal in the vehicle?
* Any fi****ms, drugs, or large amounts of currency?
* Is there anything I should know about before we continue?
* Would a search of the vehicle reveal anything illegal?
Observations to Compare Against Answers
Interdiction is often more about observations than the questions themselves:
* Unusual nervousness inconsistent with the stop.
* Conflicting travel plans between occupants.
* Implausible timelines.
* Rental vehicle anomalies.
* Multiple cell phones.
* Excessive luggage for a short trip or little luggage for a long trip.
* Air fresheners, masking odors, aftermarket compartments.
* Criminal history consistent with trafficking activity.
* Inability to identify destination, host, or purpose of travel.
Separate Occupant Interviews ( go back to the vehicle and ask for insurance, registration, etc to passenger to ensure you are not delaying the stop).
When lawful and practical, interviewing occupants separately can reveal:
* Different destinations.
* Different trip purposes.
* Different lengths of stay.
* Different relationships between occupants.
The key is to ask open-ended questions that require a narrative response rather than yes/no answers. Criminal activity is often revealed through inconsistencies, implausible explanations, and behavioral indicators when compared to the totality of circumstances.
